Retina France is in mourning at the passing of Jean-Jacques Fayssinet.
The Retina France association is saddened to inform you of the death of Jean-Jacques Frayssinet on Saturday September 11, 2021.
Originally from Montalban, Jean-Jacques Frayssinet knew at a very young age that he was living with a rare and difficult disease, Usher syndrome, and that he would lose his sight and hearing throughout his life.
This did not prevent the young Jean-Jacques from brilliantly pursuing education by becoming a Commercial Engineer at the Institut Supérieur Commercial de Nancy. His dear mother, a schoolteacher, will take care of his beloved son’s studies.
He then began a career in insurance, first at Drouot then at Axa where former CEO Claude Bébéard detected his talent and intelligence and made him one of the most important inspectors of the company.
Unfortunately the disease was gaining ground and driving was no longer possible. However, his will was intact and he wanted to act as an advocate for those with eye diseases.
He then met the founder of the Retinitis Pigmentosa Association, Madame Nicole Coldeboeuf, becoming her right-hand man before succeeding her in 1989.
He resolutely committed the association to medical research in ophthalmology. Embodying the visually impaired, endowed with extraordinary energy and remarkable empathy, he traveled the roads of France to promote the association, which he renamed Retina France in 1995.
Working with Mr. Bernard Barataud, his friend and former president of the AFM Téléthon, they combined passion and ambition to bring the fight of people with disabilities to the national level.
He passionately engaged in the fight of his life, that of finding and supporting people who, like him, lose their sight.
He then met Professor Jean-Louis Dufier, Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Necker Enfants Malades hospital. Their fruitful, respectful and friendly collaboration allowed Retina France to become a pioneer in the funding of medical research in ophthalmology, by creating the first Scientific Committee in the field of vision in France and also creating the CERTO, Center for Therapeutic Research in Ophthalmology.
Jean-Jacques Fayssinet partnered with Retina International to organise the Paris World Sight Congress in 1994 and won the association the Recognition of Public Utility, as well as the Financial Transparency Award.
He was at the association’s headquarters daily. For three decades he was attentive, benevolent and warm towards the hundreds of people in distress, whom he tirelessly helped and informed.
In 2005, he was promoted to Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite for all of his work. Retina France is in mourning today.
The Retina France President Eric Moser, the administrators, the scientific committee, the volunteers, the researchers and all the staff wish to extend to his family and in particular his two children Barbara and Stanislas, their most sincere condolences.